CRITIC’S CORNER
“COMPANY” by Robert Massimi
I
t is rare these days that an actor can stop the show to a thunderous ovation, leaving many of the audience standing and screaming their approval; but that is what happened last night at the musical “Company” when Patti Lupone finished the number, “The Ladies Who Lunch” at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Joanne (Patti Lupone) has been married three times and does not suffer fools, or weakness easily. She, like the entire cast, for the most part, is trying to give dating/marital advice to Bobbie (Katrina Lenk). Lenk as an actress did an outstanding job, the movement, the “business” and her all-around performance was a hit (her singing was not first-rate). In different parts of celebrating her 35th birthday, “Company” was funny, poignant, and tuneful. Stephen Sondheim’s songs were met all evening with thunderous applause at the number’s conclusions. Uplifting and entertaining, this “Company” had a wonderful cast with good old fashion sets by Bunny Christie (she also did the costumes). “Company” has been changed from its original... Bobby is now Bobbie, a woman who is in search of a good life, she is in no hurry to get married. Bobbie enjoys her married friends but loves her booze and freedom even more. Easy going and loved, people cannot help but want to help Bobbie find a soul mate to make her happy even though she is happy. It is the couples that make this show enjoyable, they are all comical about their relationships; we see how marriage as an institution is never easy: Sarah’s eating to Harry’s drinking, Joanne’s bossiness to Larry’s Terence Archie) acquiescence to Joanne’s demands, and Jen (Nikki Renee Daniels) and David (Christopher Fitzgerald) who are so different and yet their marriage works. Even when it comes to Bobbie’s gay friends, Jamie (Matt Doyle) and Paul (Etai Benson), she is the maid of honor at their wedding. Bobbie is never judgmental but a good friend to have around.
George Furth’s book and Marianne Elliott’s direction have this show in overdrive as far as pace goes. People popping out of closets and ovens to sing their way to Bobbie’s senses is as lively as Neil Austin’s lighting. Campy at times, the show never leaves its heartfelt fun and enjoyment. Sondheim who has written: “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, “Follies”, “A Little Night Music” and “Pacific Overtures” to name just a few, had many smash songs in “Company” as well; “Sorry-Grateful”, “Someone Is Waiting”, “Marry Me a Little”, “Side by Side by Side”, “Barcelona”, “The Ladies Who Lunch” and “Being Alive” are all outstanding. A stronger voice by Lenk would have made her solos an evening like no other, however, she managed to get through “Someone Is Waiting”, “Marry Me a Little” and “Being Alive” without any real damage to this musical. “Company” gets by on autopilot because the show never delves very deep in the way of making the plot too psychological or philosophical... We take Bobbie as she is. We don’t even care really about whether or not she wants to get serious in a relationship, the show is too fun to tinker with. “Company” traditionalists may not like this show as many core characters are changed in this new production, but for people seeing it for the first time who know nothing about its plot, “Company is an enjoyable, fun musical that is light and breezy. The sets, Sam Davis’s dance arrangements are all part of the fun at the Jacobs Theatre and this musical should not be missed!
December 2021
67
